Nikon 18-300mm VR Lens Review

[@gthopkins]

Hi all! Happy New Year. I don't normally comment on product reviews. I own a Nikon 18-300mm f3.5-5.6 lens (newer and less expensive Nikor) and I have used it on a D60, D3300, and on a D7200. Unlike Jared, who does own professional equipment, all my stuff is non-professional. That said, I have never had anyone, including pros trash my photos because of the lenses I own or use. Why should they? Many use smartphone cameras and any other camera available to capture the shot. Sure, if you are selling a photo to some huge corporation, like McDonald's, it is better to get the absolute sharpest image quality you can. That doesn't mean those companies haven't purchased some really great shots taken with less than professional equipment because the photographer knew how to compose a great shot. It would have been nice if this review sold the experience of shooting great shots with a great lens. Sometimes professionals forget about composition, emotion, color, exposure, and just plain having fun. Get the lens. It's very good. Better, yet, get the newer, lighter, less expensive 18-300mm f3.5. Certainly not good enough for "the pros", although they own one. More than good enough for AllensCamera, B&H, and Adorama to sell to the rest of us. Now, get out there and take some photos. They will be great because YOU will make them great. Say hi on FB. Cheers!

[@louie000007]

Well said!

[@booobtooober]

Isn't that the same lens 0:04 or did you mean f3.5-6.3?

[@Michael-op5hk]

Thanks Greg!

[@furzkram]

I'm wondering - at 8:37 - how you could shoot that close. Nikon says: "Closest focusing distance: 1.5m / 4.9 ft. (through the entire zoom range)"

[@Corb.ontheCob]

He was using a cheat code, probably.

[@froknowsphoto]

there is always a conversion factor if you are looking to see the 35mm equivalent

[@froknowsphoto]

Like i said, i am looking at this as a pure amateur lens. My views have changed for certain things. I still think the mega zoom option for a PRO will not fly. If someone wanted a 28-300 and was not a pro than so be it. Really doesnt matter what they shoot with in the long run.

[@jovannigonzalez4020]

18-300 Nikon vs 18-400 tamron which one is better other then the 100 more?

[@iPACKgoldDOTS]

I appreciate your review. I purchased this lens for my wife for Christmas this year. She shoots on a D5500 I got her last Christmas. Sometimes she take pictures for friends or family but mostly it's used for personal photos for her scrapbooks. Some reviews I read the reviewer just trashed it comparing it to professional grade glass. You admitting it falls short of pro grade but is an excellent fit for the weekend warrior type helps me feel better about my purchase. I also picked her up a Hero7 Black edition as she wanted a action cam.

[@SyntheticFuture]

I got a 18-105 f3.5/5.6 and that is already a stunning versatility lens, 18-300 is pretty mindboggling as it opens up a telephoto option as well.Now the f3.5/5.6 does have serious low-light issues, so you have to be willing to bump the ISO or expend the shutter times (if you can). Now for professional portrait photography and shallow dof things you'd want to have a different lens, but as a street photographer it's great to have 1 lens that does it all and a nice versatile setup.

[@slav5537]

Is this lens fully compatible with the FTZ ii adaptor?

[@hynee]

That lens looks fantastic, wide open at 18 & 300 it looked very contrasty and sharp. I will probably have some "holes" in the zoom range where it's a bit weak, but being Nikon it will probably be better than the Sigma & Tamron superzooms. It's called Lateral Chromatic Aberration (LCA) & comes in different flavours, like Red-Cyan & Blue-Yellow, this one looks like it has Green-Magenta LCA. Also, on a Nikon 1 camera it's equivalent to 50-800mm, which is crazy.

[@thomasjbrablec]

At 11:26, those are either chromatic aberrations or color fringing. The way I see it, chromatic aberrations are when you can see many colors around the edges of an object, but when it's only magenta and cyan, that's fringing. I may be wrong.

[@MacPro8CoreMan]

Jarod! I am very proud of you for realizing that not every viewer is a Pro or wanna be. This is the lens I recommended to my older brother for his first DSLR D3200. So glad you didn't say "Smells like... Don't buy it" with each review you become a better guide.

[@johnnasta]

The Nikon website says that an IF lens doesn't get bigger when you zoom, so that was a surprise. I think I'm going to get the less expensive f/3.5-6.3 version mainly because it's much lighter, and I do in fact want it for vacation photos to only carry one lens just as you said. It's about 1/3 stop difference at full zoom but I think shooting at full zoom mostly happens outdoors, so that's negligible. Also the MTF charts show that the cheaper lens has less divergence between the sagittal and meridonial lines, especially at 30 lines per mm, so less astigmatism. Why would you have to convert the zoom range of a DX lens on a DX body? I think that only applies when you put a FX (full frame) lens on a DX (cropped format) body, or a DX lens on a FX body (and then you have to crop).

[@dravidianstates1]

Depends on your usage. If you take snaps of insects,birds or any stuff which is far away from you, the extra zoom will help you.It is dependent more on your budget than your usage because, later on you should never regret purchasing a 18-200mm. Because generally people learn more only when they use a lens. So if 18-300mm lens fits your budget,go for it, you will not regret purchasing it :-)

[@dravidianstates1]

even I am not a pro photographer. But it depends on your usage. I love to take snaps of nature,birds,animals,insects and all that stuff. So I would generally require a wide angle lens and a zoom lens. The most ideal lens is 18-200mm or 18-300mm (more zoom) because it acts as both a wide angle and zoom lens and fits the usage of most amateur photographers like me. I would advice you to purchase a D3200 with a 18-200/300mm lens.

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

WHO STILL SNIFFS THEIR LENSES THESE DAYS ? THAT'S OLD SCHOOL. I PREFER TO JUST LICK MINE. THEY ALMOST ALWAYS TASTE BETTER THAN THEY SMELL. DON'T YOU AGREE ?

[@SandyCheeks68]

TRICK-OR TREAT I love the smell!

[@wissell4287]

Lol no!

[@kriisoobg]

HI! I wanna ask you a question. On the box it says it is a 18-300 DX camera. Then why mounted on a DH camera it's like a 28-450mm ? I don't undersatd this. On the box of my 35mm it also says it's for DX camera, but on my d5100 that is a DX camera it's like a 50-52mm ? My question is: Why on the box says it's a DX lens and mounted on a DX camera it's not the same mm.. 35-52 , 50-75 I don't get it.. :(

[@froknowsphoto]

This is far from me being a sales person. What makes you say the kit lenses are better? Some people want to have one mega zoom lens to take with them. If that is what they are looking for like I said in the video than this could be for them. They dont want 2 lenses, they want one.

[@MrGWoodle]

Hi Jared Now that you have the 18-300, how about comparing it with the 70-300? Which is better on DX?

[@salamisuami]

why is it that with the f/2.8 you would have to be further away to focus on the eye?

[@naturewithgitesh]

Hi, please advise...... at 18mm which shows best quality..this Nikon lens or Tamron 18 to 400 mm.... Similarly at 300 mm....which of the two shows better results.

[@nevtube15]

Ok, I already have a 18-275 mm lens, why should I want/use this one? What's the advantage/disadvantage.

[@GunPowderReign]

where can i get a 18-300mm lens for Nikon D3300.. I just bought the new camera

[@KF7MGT]

The internet? Local camera shops?

[@GunPowderReign]

amazon.com ,,.found it cheaper

[@tectorama]

I also bought the D3300 in 2014. I bought it with the 55-300 telephoto. I love the look of the 18-300, but just cant decide whether to buy it or not. It would save having to keep swapping lenses, which can be a pain. So far, most of the pictures I've taken have been aviation related, and have been very pleased with the camera.

[@chodaddy84]

Help im being offerd 2 kits which one is bEtter for d7200.... AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm 3.5 -5.6 g VR II and. AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm 4.5-56 ED VR Len's. or AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR Telephoto..

[@sculptormills]

Jared, I watched a video by Chais Jarvis and he uses the 18-200 (now he probably uses this one) as a location scouting lens. He does not use it for the images that goes to the client, but as a light weight, easy to carry lens where all you want is one lens and one camera body, the 18-300 would be great. I bet a lot of pros will use this with a D7000 as the only lens they take on vacations (maybe slip a 35 f/1.8 in your pocket too for low light).

[@italkart192]

What about auto focus on this lens? I mean would I be able to set up for auto focus like I do on regular standard lenses ??

[@josephrossi4062]

Hi Jared. I know ... it's an old video ..... But I need an help. I own a D7200 with a 16-80, 70-300 IF ED VR, a 35 DX and a 50 AF-D. When i bought the camera it was in kit with the 18-140mm which i used in very fews occasions. With my set of lenses, that 18-140 is "useless", so i were thinking to replace it with the neewer version of 18-300 (the f/3.5-6.3). It could give me the chance to have a single all around lens in daylight situation where a i can't/won't carry all the equipment (eg. on beach with childs). Based on your experiences, immage quality is so far from 18-140mm? I'm not a pixelpeeper but i use to see immages from my better lenses and so i fear 18-300 is too much far from them. Coud you give me a suggestion? TNX. Regards from Italy. Giuseppe.-

[@daspallab772]

Is it a good replacement of 18 140 ? considering sharpness and zoom together.

[@froknowsphoto]

not really, i'm not into mega zooms.

[@LifeNRA2008]

I found a great deal on this lens right before I was flying to Germany. It did everything I wanted for a travel lens! It was great not having multiple lenses to fuss around with.

[@DonaldHolben]

Got it, No issues with it . on d750 fx turns into a 450 mm

[@GrisTooki]

I think you're missing my point. My point is that this lens is too expensive given that the 28-300 is a very similar lens for the same price, but it's FX compatible. Why would anyone get this lens when they could get the 28-300 for the same price and probably get less vignetting and better sharpness (because it only uses the vert center of the FX image circle). Sure, you'd lose the a little one the wide end, but most people have the kit lens for that if they really need something wider.

[@alexandros19842304]

Jared i have D3100 can i use it with 18-300 or better to buy D3200 and 18-300

[@unknownmemoirs]

Though I do hate colour fringing, is vignetting such a bad thing though? :/

[@BioMoneculaR]

the pictures in the end show exactly why i like to shoot on crop sensor. even with such a lens you most likely wont get vignetting because the light beam going through the lens is big enough to cover a dx sensor, so u wont get vignetting or much falloff at the edges! also the extendet zoom range on crop is a nice bonus.

[@hellzgate786]

Is the distortion with the distortion control firmware update? I have a d3200and there's an update on nikons website. Does this help the distortion at all?

[@nchomeier]

I asked my go-to gear pusher and he told me the 18-300 has got a small, but critical, problem: The 18-300 dx lens tends to push so much air around inside the camera body so that the sensor get dusty and all after a very short amount of time. Have you (Fro) or anyone else who own this lens experienced something similar?

[@rajsingharora1]

my 18-200 is my street lens n the one that i use the most......this video is making me wonder whether i should upgrade soon to the 18-300.

[@kristianringen]

if the lens is made for dx, isn't it then the focal length that the box says?

[@lensawira8520]

Hello JaredPolin...may i know the lens performance in low light situation....better than 18-200mm vr2?...or equal?...or worst...because i own 18-200mm vr2...and love it so much because of excellent performance in low light, fast and accute autofocus during low light...and also smooth during zooming....i will change it if 18-300mm performance as good as 18-200mm vr2...your advice is bonus to me..thanks

[@dousmachina]

Im surprised you're getting so much vignetting and chromatic aberration with this lens even when you're using it on a dx camera, is this common?

[@fLASHBACkXs]

i have a question: i have a nikon d3100 and i wanted to know what would be good lens. for example i take picture for fashion show and beauty pagents. i would would like to know if 18-300 mm would work or what do you suggest? please help

[@jatinpatadia]

Wrong section but any chance you can do some in depth review on the new Sigma 18-250mm macro lens for canon mount? Thanks

[@sammyfromsydney]

Pixel peeped at a guy's airshow shots using this lens once on dpreview. Nothing wrong with his settings or technique but lack of pixel level sharpness made me want to tear my eyes out. I hang an 18-70dx on one body and a 70-300VR on another around my neck and I'm much happier with that despite the discomfort after a long day of shooting.

[@sedzinfo]

Did you remove the lens hood in order to test vignetting at 18mm? This is important since for some lenses the lens hood may be responsible for vignetting at wide angles. You should mention that.

[@SFchannel9]

Is the the best lense for all in one? Macro,bokeh,zooming,potrait? Btw, i just dropped my D5100, and the memoryCARD slot came out some noise when i shake the camera, and the memory card slot having some problem..

[@draganakovacevic917]

Does nikon lens 18-300 is compactible with Nikon z50 ?

[@Nammabhai]

i have a nikon d5200 .will this lens be suitable on my camera.does it has autofocus and vibration reduction in it.can i have the model number of this lense

[@CanwllCorfe615]

Are there any similar lenses you would recommend? My budget isn't very high, mind you. I like shooting everything as well, from landscapes to macro. I also LOVE night shots.

[@Haxxxo24]

the line thing you're talking about at the end may be moire, but not entirely sure

[@0V3CHKiN]

Stupid question, but if this lens goes on a FX camera will the camera default to DX mode or will it not work at all? (Yes, I know this lens is meant for a DX camera).

[@Corb.ontheCob]

I'm deciding between this lens and the newer version of it (the f/3.5-6.3). Which one should I get, assuming I'm buying used anyway?

[@DavidMosby]

I wish someone would reply. I am leaning toward the 5.6 because it is $300 more new, but close in price on the used market.

[@Corb.ontheCob]

@@DavidMosby I found out that the newer 3.5-6.3 has much better autofocus, and for my use case that is very important. I can't speak to the optical quality though unfortunately.

[@milstarr]

I have both. I just bought a 5.6 used because the 6.3 (which I've had for a few years) is soft on the long end. The 5.6 is HEAVY! But definitely much sharper than the 6.3.

[@azcoyote2]

Hey Jared. A great review, as always! One point however... I AM a pro shooter; destination weddings, and I can't wait to get this lens! Why? Simple example... At the reception... First dance, father daughter dance, etc. With this one lens I can get the wide angle shot of the couple.. within a second I can zoom in for a dramatic closeup of their faces... So... no I will not be using this lens for their portraits (85mm F1.4) etc, but once I'm at the reception this will be the only one I use.

[@TheRolexSlayer]

What camera are you using to shoot this video? What fps is this shot in? Are these the colors from the camera or is this post production? In my opinion this has more charm and cinematic feel than the 4k ultra HD videos nowadays.

[@sreejinair]

What is the aperture at 200mm?

[@hardaker44]

How was the feel of the lens on a body such ass the d3100? Did you find it was unbalanced and front heavy especially at 300mm ?

[@patricio8610]

does it work with the d3200??

[@KickerHandle]

so you think this can be used as Macro too?

[@socc3r7k1ng]

I have the 55-300 which is similar. I think its a bit better though with my 18-55. BTW does the bigger filter really matter? The bigger look is more appealing but does it have any functional effect on the lens. For instance a f/1.8 is still that regardless of the filter size....

[@blackneno]

The close focusing at 300mm seems very interesting.

[@jpvinay1976]

hi I am having Nikon D610 for my camera Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S Nikkor Lens will fit ? and how about the photos and videos ?

[@Photosbynathanw]

Jared, what version of Lightroom are you using? I'm using 4 and I'm using an 18-200 KIT Lens for Canon, but no-matter the brand, Lightroom 4 does have Lens Correction with the progress adjustment variation bar.

[@azcoyote2]

Gracias for writing. I just got done unpacking from this last weekend's weddings in South Carolina and Florida. This week I'm working down your way in Mexico. I've shot 500-700 weddings in Cabo, Cancun, Mexico City, just to name a few. As you looked at my website last night (Mexico, Distrito Federal, Mexico) you can see my worldwide clients LOVE my DX photos. lol. I'm sure you also saw my latest apperence on NATIONWIDE TV. Thank you again for writing.

[@PUSHINGPIXELSTV]

go for the 28-300 even if you have a dx body, its a good investment, so you dont have to upgrade when you buy a fx body and you use the sweet spot of the 28-300 when you use it on a dx camera

[@piccalocb]

Lol, I thought he was wearing an apron at first!

[@wissell4287]

Nuke Acorn same lol!

[@jamesgallant3553]

Would this lens work with a D7000?

[@MultiSaffran]

@JaredPolin How much a difference is there if you buy a 70-200 2.8? Is it much sharper and is 2.8 versus 5.6 a HUGE difference when it comes to low-light (bokeh is same i guess because its compressed, or do you get more bokeh at 200 2.8 ? )

[@Zopf-international]

That shop you are in is absolutely stunning. Everyone in that shop for president. Regards from Valencia Spain.

[@AymanFkhamis]

it will b fit with D5100 !! which its a heavy lens with a light body ( comparing with D7000 ) and the auto-focus motor will focus fast ??

[@TheKelday]

Hi would you be able to do a full review on the sigma 70-200 2.8 os

[@smartipants2]

compatible with nikon d80 or d90? thx

[@badmintonfool]

jared ,can you do a video on how to change your lenses in a quick way during events

[@mig85rain]

hey jared..would u say the same to 55-300mm DX lense

[@AlmightyUniden]

But think of it this way, how much would it cost to get multiple lenses that would cover that same focal range. I would say about the same. Maybe a bit less but then one would argue that you're paying a little extra for having it all on one lens.

[@sanchezjuan530]

What is the difference on a Nikon 18-200 and 70-200?

[@Linkman247]

I think this lens will fit a niche even for folks who may be more like an amateur/professional where they are kind of intermediate in their knowledge of and skill with photography. Having a super zoom is great for someone that cant afford to change lenses quickly. If you want to take pictures of wildlife without spending $1000s for instance. You will still get the shot. And its drawbacks with some distortion can be corrected in lightroom or camera raw. If you really need a lens for low light or portrait situations you can pair this with a prime or two which wont break the bank. If you can find one used for $450-500 i still think its a good lens to have. A new lens might be around $700 these days.

[@simonepusceddu44]

Yes is for the d5100,is made for dx sensor

[@jim0_o]

Hey, how about a more indepth tutorial/walkthru on more cameras, Ex. I have a D700 going to D800 and I'm pretty sure I don't know all the features of my D700 or what I'll get with the D800. What happens with Active D-lighting, am I ruining the RAW file or is it just for when I shoot JPG (no I don't)

[@elrumi6341]

0:53 lmao that is me, don't forget to smell every new bought products.

[@nathanielscerri9935]

can the lens be used for basic wildlife photography.? My camera has a crop sensor.

[@zickhardy]

thnks bro! i'm using nikon d7k.. izit great match?

[@haroldfrank5322]

I have a d5100 and use the kit lens, which I think takes pretty good pictures, and I also use the 70-300 which I also think takes pretty good pictures. Jared, even though one lens is tempting, the problem is with the weight. I have a difficult time steadying my 70-300. It is heavy. To always have the 18-300 on the camera would wear me out.

[@Jefff72]

I'm on a D5200 and do mostly landscape but have also ventured into outdoor portraits. I have some photos which done well in competition but I feel the quality from my 18-105 kit could be better. I was planning on saving up my money to jump to D810 one day, but today I thought maybe just upgrade the lens. So hows the image quality on this & its sister lens the 18-200 vrii. So would I be better to first get either 18-200/18-300 or should I wait and just jump full frame?

[@10paulg10]

I have a nikon d5200. Just wondering if there are any good telephoto lenses in the $500 range. Mostly for shooting sports

[@MrCoolBam]

can i use this lens with nikon d5200 ..thanks

[@lokingloking]

less zoom better quality if l understude well.... here we have 18x.... means no good?

[@rcrunner4]

What lens should I get for a d5200 nikon 18 135 or 18 140 is the worth getting the 18 140 bc I can find a 18 135 for about $100

[@sorandomlyblah]

I am looking to buy a D7100 body and I already have a 35mm 1.8 as well as a basic nikon kit lens. Im into portrait/event photography and I really need a zoom lens, but I'm very confused as to what to buy.... any help ?

[@ryzechantigaming2464]

Which is the best lens for outdoor photography...? My camera is nikon d3300..

[@rossanaenriquez971]

this is the reason I bought this lense using my D3100

[@SasawatChanate]

11:28 Is it call Color Fringing??

[@dhamasawanan7370]

Thnx for the video. So what is your suggestion for Nikon D850 professional 18-300mm lens ...please name a couple of lenses

[@avalanche9142]

What would be the difference between 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G and 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ?? The former is newer and the latter seems to be more expensive! Which one is better?

[@macmebenny]

Avalanche The first one goes up to 6.3G which means it will let in less light at longer range while the latter has a 5.6G which will let in more light.

[@kb6kgx]

If you’ll be doing your shooting in bright sunlight, it may not be that significant. The “f6.3” lens also uses a smaller filter size, which means your filters, should you use them, will be less expensive, as well. And, because the “glass” is smaller, it will be lighter in weight.

[@rodrigoamaral5341]

where are the store of the video? i like to buy in this store

[@MoralessDiego]

I have a Nikon d500 and i'm looking for a lens like this, wich one should i get, Nikon 18-300 or Tamron 18-400???

[@chaoshatesriot]

What does it smell?

[@premchandt6666]

Will it work with my Nikon d7200

[@nicolelouisegilbo5000]

A lot of people asked me to photograph their events. I certainly don't want to risk my prime lenses in those situations. Also, people have no patience for those kinds of non-zoom lenses. After experiencing the torture of photographing people's children for little or no pay, I opted for the Tamron 18 - 270 to maintain my sanity haha.

[@rykn21x]

hi nicolelouise how is the performance of your tamron 18-270? i know this is an old post already but im looking for a good super zoom lenses. I have a prime lense but i want to get a decent zoom lense for travel.. hope for your reply.. thanks!

[@huka1655]

Hi, I would like to by zoom lens for D5500 nikon. So which one i better 18-140 or 18-200 ? Thanks

[@dominicnikon6276]

i own a 18-140 and its a really nice lens in my opinion

[@namedjohnsmith6780]

hu ka i have a 18-200vr1 and its quite Great for Travel. I have to Say That the abbaration is Quite Horrible and the Images are incredibly soft sometimes.

[@harvyb2924]

I would recommend: 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AND 70-300mm f3.5-5.6. OR 18-300mm f3.5-5.6

[@otakuex6597]

18-300 vs 35 mm 1.8 vs 18-140 mm ... What is the best choice for the Nikon D5200 ? " I love to shoot a portrait , street photography and Wedding " what is the best choice for me

[@YonnyMestampo]

Hello Jared. Can you consider making a video of your setings on the D4? Thank you.

[@hawksrock15]

What is this store called??